Controlling user input devices based upon detected attitude of a handheld electronic device

ABSTRACT

A wireless handheld electronic device configured to send and receive text messages. A microprocessor for receiving, processing and outputting data is located within the handheld device. A display screen in data-communication with the microprocessor presents information for user observation based upon data output from the microprocessor. A sensor is provided within the handheld device that detects the attitude of the device as held by the user. The sensor communicates data that is indicative of the detected attitude of the device to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is further enable to disable a user input device when the detected attitude of the device matches a predetermined attitude criteria.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/772,672 entitled “CONTROLLING USER INPUT DEVICES BASED UPON DETECTEDATTITUDE OF A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE” and filed on Jul. 2, 2007.U.S. application Ser. No. 11/772,672 is fully incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD

The present disclosure, in a broad sense, is directed toward handheldelectronic devices. More specifically, the disclosure is directed towardhandheld communication devices that have wireless communicationcapabilities and the networks within which the wireless communicationdevices operate. The present disclosure further relates to determinationof the attitude of the handheld device and disablement of at least oneuser input device.

BACKGROUND

With the proliferation of wireless communications systems, compatiblehandheld communication devices are becoming more prevalent, as well asadvanced. Whereas in the past such handheld communication devices weretypically limited to either voice transmission (cell phones) or texttransmission (pagers and PDAs), today's consumer often demands amultifunctional device capable of performing both types oftransmissions, including even sending and receiving e-mail. Furthermore,these higher-performance devices can also be capable of sending andreceiving other types of data including that which allows the viewingand use of Internet websites. These higher level functionalitiesnecessarily require greater user interaction with the devices throughincluded user interfaces (UIs) which may have originally been designedto accommodate making and receiving telephone calls and sending messagesover a related Short Messaging Service (SMS). As might be expected,suppliers of such mobile communication devices and the related serviceproviders are anxious to meet these customer requirements, but thedemands of these more advanced functionalities have in manycircumstances rendered the traditional user interfaces unsatisfactory, asituation that has caused designers to have to improve the UIs throughwhich users input information and control these sophisticatedoperations.

Keyboards are used on many handheld devices, including telephones andmobile communication devices. The size of keyboards has been reducedover the years, as newer, smaller devices have become popular. Cellphones, for example, are now sized to fit in one's pocket or the palm ofthe hand. As the size of the devices has decreased, the more importantit has become to utilize all of the keyboard surface as efficiently aspossible.

Many keyboards on mobile devices have an input device for navigationthrough the graphical user interface. These interfaces include suchdevices as trackballs and rotating wheels which can be used to affectmovement of a cursor or pointer, or to scroll up, down and about adisplayed page. These navigation devices often occupy a relatively largeamount of space on the incorporating mobile device. Because thenavigation device is frequently used and often requires fine control, alower end size limitation will normally be observed by device designers.To accommodate such larger, more convenient navigation devices on thehousing of the mobile device, the amount of space that is available forthe keys of the keyboard is correspondingly reduced if the keyboard andnavigational device are proximately located to one another.

Another keyboard spacing problem is that of finger overlap when keys aresmaller than the user's finger and are spaced closely together. Becausekeys near the center of the keyboard are surrounded by other keys, theyare particularly more difficult to press without the user's fingeroverlapping and inadvertently pressing an adjacent key.

Mobile communication devices can create potential problems for users ofsuch devices when the keyboard or other input device on the handheldcommunication device is accidentally actuated. Various attempts to limitor minimize the risk of such activation include keyboard lock devicesthat lock the keyboard after a predetermined period of time has elapsedor upon a specific key combination entered by a user of the handheldelectronic device. However, these keyboard locking combinations presentchallenges to the user of the device. For example, the user may notdesire to always enter the lock period during this predetermined time,thus encouraging the user to disable the predetermined time lock on thehandheld electronic device. Likewise, if the keyboard lock must beentered by the user selecting a particular set of keys, the user mayforget to set this lock and continue to make accidental inputs to thedevice. Thus, it is desirable to enable a keyboard lock feature upon apredetermined gesture with the device by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary methods and arrangements conducted and configured according tothe advantageous solutions presented herein are depicted in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a handheld communication device configured accordingto the present teachings cradled in the palm of a user's hand;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing a wireless handheld communicationdevice interacting in a communication network;

FIG. 3 illustrates the handheld device rotating about a first axis;

FIG. 4 illustrates the handheld device further rotating about a firstaxis;

FIG. 5 illustrates the handheld device rotating to a substantiallyupside down position;

FIG. 6 a illustrates the handheld device in a substantially uprightposition;

FIG. 6 b illustrates the handheld device in a first rotated position;

FIG. 6 c illustrates the handheld device in a second rotated position;

FIG. 6 d illustrates the handheld device in a third rotated position;

FIG. 6 e illustrates the handheld device in a fourth rotated position;

FIG. 6 f illustrates the handheld device in a fifth rotated position;

FIG. 6 g illustrates the handheld device in a sixth rotated position;

FIG. 7 a illustrates an exemplary QWERTY keyboard layout;

FIG. 7 b illustrates an exemplary QWERTZ keyboard layout;

FIG. 7 c illustrates an exemplary AZERTY keyboard layout;

FIG. 7 d illustrates an exemplary Dvorak keyboard layout;

FIG. 8 illustrates a QWERTY keyboard layout paired with a traditionalten-key keyboard;

FIG. 9 illustrates ten digits comprising the numerals 0-9 arranged in atraditional, ITU Standard E.161 numeric telephone keypad layout,including the * and # keys flanking the 0 key;

FIG. 10 illustrates a traditional or standard phone key arrangement orlayout according to the ITU Standard E.161 including both numerals andletters;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary wirelesshandheld electronic device, incorporating a trackball assembly as theauxiliary user input; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of disabling a user inputdevice in response to a detected attitude.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary handheld electronic device 300 is shown in FIG. 1, and thedevice's cooperation in a wireless network 319 is exemplified in theblock diagram of FIG. 2. These figures are exemplary only, and thosepersons skilled in the art will appreciate the additional elements andmodifications necessary to make the device 300 work in particularnetwork environments.

The block diagram of FIG. 2 denotes the device's 300 inclusion of amicroprocessor 338 that controls the operation of the device 300. Acommunication subsystem 311 performs all communication transmission andreception with the wireless network 319. The microprocessor 338 furtherconnects with an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 328, a serialport (preferably a Universal Serial Bus port) 330, a display 322, akeyboard 332, a speaker 334, a microphone 336, random access memory(RAM) 326, and flash memory 324. Other communication subsystems 340 andother device subsystems 342 are generally indicated as beingfunctionally connected with the microprocessor 338 as well. An exampleof a communication subsystem 340 is that of a short range communicationsystem such as BLUETOOTH® communication module or a Wi-Fi communicationmodule (a communication module in compliance with IEEE 802.11b) andassociated circuits and components. Additionally, the microprocessor 338is able to perform operating system 357 functions and preferably enablesexecution of software applications on the communication device 300.

The included auxiliary I/O subsystem 328 can take the form of a varietyof different navigation tools (multidirectional or single-directional)such as a trackball navigation tool 325 as illustrated in the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 1, or a thumbwheel, a navigation pad, or ajoystick, or the like. These navigation tools are preferably located onthe front surface of the device 300 but may be located on any exteriorsurface of the device 300. Other auxiliary I/O subsystems 328 caninclude external display devices and externally connected keyboards (notshown). While the above examples have been provided in relation to theauxiliary I/O subsystem 328, other subsystems capable of providing inputor receiving output from the handheld electronic device 300 areconsidered within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, other keysmay be placed along the side of the device 300 to function as escapekeys, volume control keys, scrolling keys, power switches, or userprogrammable keys, and may likewise be programmed accordingly.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 1, the handheld communication device 300comprises a lighted display 322 located above a keyboard 332constituting a user input and suitable for accommodating textual inputto the handheld communication device 300. The front face of the devicehas a keyfield 650 that includes menu keys 652, alphanumeric keys 630,alphabetic keys 632, numeric keys 42, and other function keys as shownin FIG. 1. As shown, the handheld device 300 is of unibody construction,also known as a “candy-bar” design.

Keys, typically of a push-button or push-pad nature, perform well asdata entry devices but present problems to the user when they must alsobe used to affect navigational control over a screen-cursor. In order tosolve this problem the present handheld electronic device 300 preferablyincludes an auxiliary input 328 that acts as a cursor navigational tooland which is also exteriorly located upon the front face of the device300. Its front face location is particularly advantageous because itmakes the tool easily thumb-actuable like the keys of the keyboard. In aparticularly useful embodiment, the navigational tool is a trackballnavigational tool 325 which is easily utilized to instructtwo-dimensional screen cursor movement in substantially any direction,as well as act as an actuator when the ball 321 is depressed like abutton. The placement of the trackball 321 is preferably above thekeyboard 332 and below the display screen 322; here, it avoidsinterference during keyboarding and does not block the user's view ofthe display screen 322 during use. (See FIG. 1).

As illustrated in at least FIG. 1, the present disclosure is directed toa handheld wireless communication device 300 configured to send andreceive text messages. The device includes a hand cradleable bodyconfigured to be held in one hand by an operator of the device duringtext entry. A display 322 is included that is located on a front face370 of the body and upon which information is displayed to the operatorduring text entry. A key field 650 is also located on the front face 370of the elongate body and which comprises a plurality of keys including aplurality of alphanumeric keys, symbol keys, and function keys. Atrackball navigation tool 325 is also located on the front face 370 ofthe body. The alphanumeric input keys comprise a plurality of alphabetickeys 632 having letters associated therewith. The order of the lettersof the alphabetic keys 632 on the presently disclosed device can bedescribed as being of a traditional, but non-ITU Standard E.161 layout.

The handheld wireless communication device 300 is also configured tosend and receive voice communications such as mobile telephone calls. Atleast one key of the key field 650 is positioned adjacent to thetrackball navigation tool and that key has a circular arc-shaped edgeconformance fitting to a circular arc-shaped boundary about thetrackball navigation tool 325. To facilitate telephone calls, two callkeys 605, 609 oppositely and laterally flank the trackball navigationtool. One of the two call keys is a call initiation key 605 and theother is a call termination key 609.

The key 606 positioned adjacent to the trackball navigation tool 325 isa menu key that upon actuation displays an available action menu on thedisplay in dependence of the currently running application on the device300.

Furthermore, the device is equipped with components to enable operationof various programs, as shown in FIG. 2. In an exemplary embodiment, theflash memory 324 is enabled to provide a storage location for theoperating system 357, device programs 358, and data. The operatingsystem 357 is generally configured to manage other application programs358 that are also stored in memory 324 and executable on the processor338. The operating system 357 honors requests for services made byapplication programs 358 through predefined application program 358interfaces. More specifically, the operating system 357 typicallydetermines the order in which multiple applications 358 executed on theprocessor 338 and the execution time allotted for each application 358,manages the sharing of memory 324 among multiple applications 358,handles input and output to and from other device subsystems 342, and soon. In addition, users can typically interact directly with theoperating system 357 through a user interface usually including thekeyboard 332 and display screen 322. While in an exemplary embodimentthe operating system 357 is stored in flash memory 324, the operatingsystem 357 in other embodiments is stored in read-only memory (ROM) orsimilar storage element (not shown). As those skilled in the art willappreciate, the operating system 357, device application 358 or partsthereof may be loaded in RAM 326 or other volatile memory.

In one exemplary embodiment, the flash memory 324 containsprograms/applications 358 for execution on the device 300 including anaddress book 352, a personal information manager (PIM) 354, and thedevice state 350. Furthermore, programs 358 and other information 356including data can be segregated upon storage in the flash memory 324 ofthe device 300.

When the device 300 is enabled for two-way communication within thewireless communication network 319, it can send and receive signals froma mobile communication service. Examples of communication systemsenabled for two-way communication include, but are not limited to, theGeneral Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, the Universal MobileTelecommunication Service (UTMS) network, the Enhanced Data for GlobalEvolution (EDGE) network, and the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)network and those networks, generally described as packet-switched,narrowband, data-only technologies which are mainly used for short burstwireless data transfer. For the systems listed above, the communicationdevice 300 must be properly enabled to transmit and receive signals fromthe communication network 319. Other systems may not require suchidentifying information. GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE require the use of aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) in order to allow communication withthe communication network 319. Likewise, most CDMA systems require theuse of a Removable Identity Module (RUIM) in order to communicate withthe CDMA network. The RUIM and SIM card can be used in multipledifferent communication devices 300. The communication device 300 may beable to operate some features without a SIM/RUIM card, but it will notbe able to communicate with the network 319. A SIM/RUIM interface 344located within the device 300 allows for removal or insertion of aSIM/RUIM card (not shown). The SIM/RUIM card features memory and holdskey configurations 351, and other information 353 such as identificationand subscriber related information. With a properly enabledcommunication device 300, two-way communication between thecommunication device 300 and communication network 319 is possible.

If the communication device 300 is enabled as described above or thecommunication network 319 does not require such enablement, the two-waycommunication enabled device 300 is able to both transmit and receiveinformation from the communication network 319. The transfer ofcommunication can be from the device 300 or to the device 300. In orderto communicate with the communication network 319, the device 300 in thepresently described exemplary embodiment is equipped with an integral orinternal antenna 318 for transmitting signals to the communicationnetwork 319. Likewise the communication device 300 in the presentlydescribed exemplary embodiment is equipped with another antenna 316 forreceiving communication from the communication network 319. Theseantennae (316, 318) in another exemplary embodiment are combined into asingle antenna (not shown). As one skilled in the art would appreciate,the antenna or antennae (316, 318) in another embodiment are externallymounted on the device 300.

When equipped for two-way communication, the communication device 300features a communication subsystem 311. As is well known in the art,this communication subsystem 311 is modified so that it can support theoperational needs of the device 300. The subsystem 311 includes atransmitter 314 and receiver 312 including the associated antenna orantennae (316, 318) as described above, local oscillators (LOs) 313, anda processing module 320 which in the presently described exemplaryembodiment is a digital signal processor (DSP) 320.

It is contemplated that communication by the device 300 with thewireless network 319 can be any type of communication that both thewireless network 319 and device 300 are enabled to transmit, receive andprocess. In general, these can be classified as voice and data. Voicecommunication is communication in which signals for audible sounds aretransmitted by the device 300 through the communication network 319.Data is all other types of communication that the device 300 is capableof performing within the constraints of the wireless network 319.

Example device applications that can depend on such data include email,contacts and calendars. For each such application synchronization withhome-based versions on the applications can be critical for either orboth of their long term and short term utility. As an example, emailsare often time sensitive, so substantially real time synchronization ishighly desirable. Contacts, on the other hand, can be usually updatedless frequently without inconvenience. Therefore, the utility of thedevice 300 is significantly enhanced (if not enabled) when connectablewithin a communication system, and particularly when connectable on awireless basis in a network 319 in which voice, text messaging, andother data transfer are accommodated.

Integration of the trackball assembly into handheld device 300 can beseen in the exploded view of FIG. 11 showing some of the typicalcomponents found in the assembly of the handheld electronic device 300.The construction of the device benefits from various manufacturingsimplifications. The internal components are predominantly constructedon a single PCB (printed circuit board, not illustrated) 12. Thekeyboard 332 can be constructed from a single piece of material, and insome embodiments is made from plastic. The keyboard 332 sits over domeswitches (not shown) located on the PCB 12 in a preferred embodiment.While in the presently described exemplary embodiment one switch isprovided for every key on the keyboard 332, in other embodiments morethan one switch or less than one switch per key are provided. Thesupport frame 11 holds the keyboard 332 and trackball navigation tool325 in place above the PCB 12. A lens 13 covers the display screen (notshown) to prevent damage. When assembled, the support frame 11 and thePCB 12 are fixably attached to each other and the display is positionedbetween the PCB 12 and support frame 11.

The trackball navigation tool 325 can be frictionally engaged with thesupport frame 11, but in one exemplary embodiment the trackballnavigation tool 325 is removable when the device is assembled. Thisallows for replacement of the trackball navigation tool 325 if/when itbecomes damaged or the user desires replacement with a different type ofnavigation tool. Other multidirectional navigation tools such asjoysticks, four-way cursors, or touch pads are also considered to bewithin the scope of this disclosure. The trackball navigational tool 325is fixed against the support frame 11 by a locking ring 23 that isremovably engaged with the support frame. This configuration allows thetrackball navigational tool 325 to be removed such as needed inservicing or replacement.

A serial port (preferably a Universal Serial Bus port) 330 and anearphone jack 40 are fixably attached to the PCB 12 and further held inplace by right side element 15. Buttons 30-33 are attached to switches(not shown), which are connected to the PCB 12.

Final assembly involves placing the top piece 17 and bottom piece 18 incontact with support frame 11. Furthermore, the assembly interconnectsright side element 15 and left side element 16 with the support frame11, PCB 12, and lens 13. These side elements 15, 16 provide additionalprotection and strength to the support structure of the device 300. In apreferred embodiment, backplate 14 is removably attached to the otherelements of the device.

The wireless handheld electronic device 300 as described herein can beenabled such that certain handheld device 300 functionality is disabledwhen the attitude of the handheld device 300 exceeds predeterminedvalues. The attitude of the handheld device 300 refers to thepositioning of the handheld device 300 with respect to a definedorientation. For purposes of this description, the defined referenceorientation will be the handheld device 300 in a vertical orientation.In this orientation as shown in FIG. 3, the handheld device 300 islocated along a vertical axis 110. A sensor which is capable ofdetecting changes in the attitude is implemented inside the handhelddevice 300 to determine when the attitude of the handheld device 300reaches predefined limits. As the handheld device 300 is rotated to theleft at an angle such as θ₁, the attitude sensor detects this rotation.When the angle and/or attitude exceeds the predetermined criteria acommunication is sent to the microprocessor 338 indicative of thepredetermined criteria. Alternatively, the sensor can be designed suchthat the information regarding the attitude is transmitted tomicroprocessor 338 which in turn determines when the attitude reachesthe predetermined criteria.

Likewise, when the handheld device 300 is rotated to the right at anangle such as θ₂, the sensor detects when the attitude of the handhelddevice 300 matches a predetermined attitude. Additionally, themicroprocessor 338 can be programmed or otherwise designed such that itonly disables the user input device once the predetermined attitude ismatched for a predetermined period of time. While in some embodimentsthe predetermined attitude criteria and predetermined period of time arepreprogrammed into the handheld device 300, other embodimentscontemplate the ability of the user to adjust the criteria and timeperiods. The user may be permitted to enter this information through aprogram on the handheld device 300. In yet other embodiments, thehandheld device 300 can be equipped with remote control software suchthat an administrator can control the handheld device 300 and adjustthese settings among others.

User input devices as described herein refer to a broad range of devicesthat are designed to facilitate user interaction with the handhelddevice 300. These user input devices allow the user to input data to thehandheld device 300 in order to allow the handheld device 300 to performa variety of different functions. For example, a user input device couldbe a navigation control tool such as a trackball navigational tool 325that allows the user to control cursor navigation on a paged displayedto the user on the screen 322 of the handheld device 300. In anotherexample, the user input is a keyboard 332 which can incorporate keyslabeled according to one of the key arrangements described herein. Inother embodiments, the user input device can include a touch sensitivescreen adapted to allow user interaction with displayed items. The aboveexamples of various user input devices are not considered to be limitedbut merely illustrative of the types of devices that could be classifiedas user input devices.

The predetermined attitude criteria can be set in relation to one ormore axes of rotation. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the handheld device 300rotating about a first axis and FIGS. 6 a-g illustrate rotation of thehandheld device 300 about a second axis of rotation. In the embodimentsas illustrated, the handheld device 300 is rotated to right or left froman initial condition position or reference orientation. In at least oneembodiment, the predetermined attitude criterion occurs when thehandheld device 300 is rotated more than ninety degrees from thereference orientation. Furthermore, the predetermined criteria canrequire that the handheld device 300 be rotated to some fixed anglebeyond ninety degrees such as angles θ₃ and θ₄ as shown in FIG. 4. Forexample angle θ₃ could be approximately 110 degrees and angle θ₄ couldbe approximately 135 degrees. These angles are given as examples onlyand other angles are considered within the scope this disclosure.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the predetermined criteria is anupside down attitude as shown in FIG. 5. While the handheld device 300is shown in a completely upside down attitude, other embodiments aresubstantially upside down or within a few degrees of this upside downattitude. As shown, the angle θ₅ is approximately 180 degrees from thedefault orientation. In other exemplary embodiments, the range at whichthe upside down position occurs is between 165 degrees and 180 degreesfrom the default orientation.

Furthermore, the attitude of the handheld device 300 can be describedwith respect to rotation of the handheld device 300 about a second axisas shown in FIGS. 6 a-g. When the handheld device 300 is being operatedby a user, it is generally held in a position that is tilted downwardfrom an upright position. The substantially upright position of thehandheld device 300 is shown in FIG. 6 a, where the centerline 120 ofthe handheld device 300 is at angle α₁ measured from the horizontal axison the front face side of the handheld device 300 to the centerline 120of the handheld device 300. The deviation of attitude of the handhelddevice 300 with respect to this substantially upright position can bemeasured and sent to the processor for further processing.Alternatively, the signal may be sent only once the sensor has detectedthat the attitude of the handheld device 300 matches the predeterminedcriteria. As shown the angle α₁ is approximately ninety degrees when thehandheld device 300 is in the upright position.

In order to exemplify some of the types of deviations that may or maynot meet the predetermined criteria, FIGS. 6 b-g are presented anddescribed herein. FIG. 6 b depicts the handheld device 300 tiltingforward from the upright position such that the angle α₂ is less thanthe angle α₁. In at least one embodiment, the predetermined criteria ismet when the angle between the centerline of the handheld device 300 andthe horizontal reference line 160 on the front face side of the handhelddevice 300 is less than 65 degrees. Other similar angles can be used asthe predetermined criteria depending on size of the handheld device 300and the ability of the user to use such a handheld device 300 at theparticular incline. For instance, the angle at which the predeterminedcriteria is matched could be 45 degrees.

When the handheld device 300 is rotated at angles that are in theopposite direction from the angle of rotation as shown in FIG. 6 c, thehandheld device 300 is often used at varying angles of inclination. Auser may prefer to hold the handheld device 300 at an angle α₃ such thatthe device is at an approximately 135 degree angle from reference line160. Individual users may hold the handheld device 300 at angles rangingfrom approximately 120 degree to 165 degrees during typical usage.However, most users will not input text into the handheld device 300once the angle of inclination reaches beyond a certain comfortableposture. For example, the usability of the handheld device 300 declinesas the angle of the device 300 extends beyond the 180 degree orientationas shown by angle α₄ in FIG. 6 d. While the handheld device 300 shown inFIG. 6 e, at an angle α₅ of approximately 255 degrees, can be used bysome users, it begins to become uncomfortable as the angle continues toincrease until it reaches a substantially upside down position as shownin FIG. 6 f, where angle α₆ is approximately 270 degrees. Some users mayprefer to use the handheld device 300 in almost a substantially upsidedown position in certain circumstances. However, since the screen 322becomes obscured, the user of the handheld device 300 cannot hold thehandheld device 300 at this position for more than a predeterminedperiod of time if they wish to see the display screen 322.

Once the angle of the handheld device 300 rotation extends beyond theupside down position as shown in FIG. 6 f, the use of the handhelddevice 300 becomes difficult. One such angle is the angle α₇, as shownin FIG. 6 g. The above positions of the handheld device 300 can be usedby the processor to enable or disable functionality of the handhelddevice 300 as will be explained below.

When the attitude of the handheld device 300 matches the predeterminedattitude at least one user input device is disabled. The disablement canbe performed by the microprocessor 338 of the handheld device 300. Theuser input device that is disabled is a device that allows the user tointeract with the handheld device 300 by inputting commands and data. Inone example, the user input device is a keyboard 332 which can bearranged according the other descriptions provided herein relating tokeyboards and/or key arrangements. The keys of the keyboard 332 aresusceptible to accidental or other unintentional actuation and thus itis desirable to disable the keys under certain circumstances. One ofthese circumstances is the attitude of the handheld device 300. Theattitude of the handheld device 300 can be understood in relation to areference orientation or other type of frame of reference which has beendescribed in detail above. When the handheld device 300 is rotated in aparticular direction or beyond a certain point, the use of the keyboard332 is unlikely. For example when the keyboard 332 is arranged such thatindicia on the keys are upside down and the display screen 322 islocated beneath the keyboard 332, it is unlikely the user of thehandheld device 300 will require input using the keys of the keyboard332.

Likewise, other user input devices can be disabled when the attitude ofthe handheld device 300 matches a predetermined criteria. Auxiliary userinput devices, such as one of the above described navigation tools, canalso be disabled either in conjunction with or separate from thekeyboard 332. In at least one example, the navigation tool is atrackball navigation tool 325 and is located essentially between thedisplay screen 322 of the handheld device 300 and the keyboard 332 asshown in FIG. 1. Other side input keys can be disabled as well. Theseside input keys can be programmable keys or special function keys forenablement of certain handheld device 300 functions like a camera.

In order to detect the attitude of the handheld device 300, an attitudesensor is provided within the body of the wireless handheld electronichandheld device 300. The attitude sensors can be any of the knownsensors in the art and a few examples of attitude sensors are providedherein. For example, the attitude sensor could be a tilt sensor which iscapable of determining the tilt of the handheld device 300 with respectto a reference position or orientation. The tilt sensor can beprogrammed or designed to output either a signal once a predeterminedcriteria has been matched or to continuously output the angle of tiltfrom the reference orientation. In another embodiment, the tilt sensoris an inclinometer which determines the incline of the object withrespect to a reference position. The inclinometer generally uses areference position that is oriented along a horizontal plane to measurethe angle of incline. However, other inclinometers may use referenceorientations that are in the vertical orientation such as the one shownin FIG. 3. The inclinometer can be constructed using one of the knownmethods in the skill of the art. Among these methods are gravity basedsensors which implement moving masses, fluidic sensors, and gas sensors.In another example, the angle of the incorporating object can bedetected using a Micro-Electro-Mechanical (MEM) system that can includeone of the above types of sensors on a micro-scale.

Thus, the inclinometer could be implemented to detect the angles ofinclination as shown in FIGS. 6 a-g. In one example, other sensors,maybe implemented in order to detect the change in attitude of thehandheld device 300. In a particular example, an accelerometer can beused to detect changes in attitude. These types of attitude detectionsensors detect changes in acceleration to determine the attitude of thehandheld device 300. These types of sensor typically involve masses ofvarying sizes and circuits to detect the acceleration of the mass. In aspecific embodiment, the accelerometer is a gravimeter that detects theforce of gravity acting on accelerometer. Again, a MEM system can beimplemented to detect the attitude of the handheld device 300 usingacceleration. These MEM devices are miniaturized and can be locatedwithin the body of the handheld electronic device 300 without increasingthe size of the handheld device 300 significantly. Additionally, theaccelerometer can be used to switch the operation of the display of thehandheld device 300 between a portrait and landscape mode. Thus, it ispossible to utilize a single device for detection of attitude and screenorientation.

In a handheld device 300 equipped with the attitude sensor andmicroprocessor 338 that is capable of disabling the user input devices,it is desirable to notify the user of such disablement. The handhelddevice 300 is often equipped with a speaker for communication purposesas well as notification purposes. Once the predetermined criteria hasbeen detected and the user input device disabled, a notification signalcan be sent from the microprocessor 338 to the speaker 334. Thisnotification signal can be sent proximate to the disablement of the userinput device; thus the signal could be sent before or after thedisablement of the user input device occurs. Likewise, the user can benotified through a vibration device associated with the handheldelectronic device 300. This vibration device can be one available in theart including a flywheel and mass based vibration device where the massrotates randomly or uniformly. Furthermore, the user could be notifiedthrough the display screen of the handheld device 300. Alternatively, ashort message could be displayed on the screen informing the user aboutdisablement of a user input device. This message could tell the user howto stop the disablement of the user input device and/or resume normaloperation after the user input device has been disabled.

In at least one embodiment, the wireless handheld electronic device 300is equipped with an attitude sensing means that detects the attitude ofthe handheld device 300 as held by a user. The attitude sensing means isin data-communication with a control means, such as microprocessor 338or a microprocessor-based control means. The attitude sensing means canbe one of the above described sensors, combination thereof, or others asknown to one skilled in the art. The control means can be amicroprocessor 338 or other circuitry or hardware that is configured tocontrol certain aspects of the handheld device 300. Additionally, theattitude sensing means communicates data to the control means indicativeof the detected attitude of the handheld device 300. The control meansreceives and processes the communicated data from the attitude sensingmeans and the control means disables a user input means when thedetected attitude of the handheld device 300 matches a predeterminedattitude criteria. The user input means, through which a user inputsinformation, is also in data-communication with the control means. Theuser input means can be one of the above described user input devices orothers as known in the state of the art.

Furthermore, the handheld device 300 is equipped with a display meansthat is also in data-communication with the control means. The displaymeans presents information for user observation thereupon based upondata output from the control means to the display means. The displaymeans can be a display screen or the like as herein described includinga liquid crystal display and a touch sensitive screen. Additionally, themicroprocessor-based control means is capable of receiving, processingand outputting other types of data as necessary to control the handhelddevice 300 including those components described above in connection withschematic diagram of FIG. 2.

In at least one embodiment, the control means of the wireless handheldelectronic device 300 disables the user input means only after thedetected attitude of the handheld device 300 matches the predeterminedattitude criteria for a predetermined period of time. In one example,the predetermined attitude criteria is an upside down attitude asdescribed above. Furthermore, the wireless handheld electronic device300 can be equipped with a user informing means in data-communicationwith the control means. The user informing means outputs a signal to theuser of the handheld device 300 when the user input means is disabledbased upon the detected attitude. In at least one embodiment, the userinforming means is a speaker 334 such that an audible sound is producedto notify the user of disablement of the user input device. While inanother embodiment, the user input means is a vibration device such thathandheld device 300 vibrates. In yet another embodiment, the user inputmeans is a light that notifies the user by flashing or changing color.The attitude sensing means can be one of the above described sensorsincluding a tilt sensor, an inclinometer, an accelerometer, and agravimeter. Additionally, the user input means could be a keyboard 332such as those described herein. Alternatively, the user input meanscould be an auxiliary user input device 328 such as a trackballnavigation tool which can be configured as described herein. In at leastone embodiment, the user input means includes both a keyboard 332 aswell as an auxiliary user input device 328 which can be a trackball thatis located between the display screen 322 and keyboard 332.

In at least one embodiment, a method for detection and disablement of auser input device on a handheld electronic device 300 is presented inFIG. 12. First, the method involves detecting the attitude of thehandheld device 300 (block 420). This detection of the attitude of thehandheld device 300 can be through one of the above described devicesand/or means. The method then communicates the data indicative of thedetected attitude to the microprocessor 338 of the handheld device 300(block 430). Then, a determination is made whether the detected attitudeof the handheld device 300 matches a predetermined attitude (block 440).If the attitude of the handheld device 300 matches the predeterminedattitude, then at least one user input device is disabled (block 450).Otherwise, the operation of the user input devices can continue tooperate according to normal procedures (block 460).

As intimated hereinabove, one of the more important aspects of thehandheld electronic device 300 to which this disclosure is directed isits size. While some users will grasp the device 300 in both hands, itis intended that a predominance of users will cradle the device 300 inone hand in such a manner that input and control over the device 300 canbe effected using the thumb of the same hand in which the device 300 isheld. However, it is appreciated that additional control can be effectedby using both hands. As a handheld device 300 that is easy to grasp anddesirably pocketable, the size of the device 300 must be keptcommensurately small. Of the device's dimensions, limiting its width isimportant for the purpose of assuring cradleability in a user's hand.Moreover, it is preferred that the width of the device 300 be maintainedat less than eight centimeters (approximately three inches). Keeping thedevice 300 within these dimensional limits provides a hand cradleableunit that users prefer for its usability and portability. Limitationswith respect to the height (length) of the device 300 are less stringentwhen considering hand-cradleability. Therefore, in order to gain greatersize, the device 300 can be advantageously configured so that its heightis greater than its width, but still remain easily supported andoperated in one hand.

A potential problem is presented by the small size of the device 300 inthat there is limited exterior surface area for the inclusion of userinput and device output features. This is especially true for the “primereal estate” on the front face 370 of the device 300, where it is mostadvantageous to include a display screen 322 that outputs information tothe user. The display screen 322 is preferably located above a keyboard332 that is utilized for data entry into the device 300 by the user. Ifthe screen 322 is provided below the keyboard 332, a problem occurs inthat viewing the screen 322 is inhibited when the user is inputting datausing the keyboard 332. Therefore it is preferred that the displayscreen 322 be above the input area, thereby solving the problem byassuring that the hands and fingers do not block the view of the screen322 during data entry periods.

To facilitate textual data entry into the device 300, an alphabetickeyboard is provided. In one version, a full alphabetic keyboard isutilized in which there is one letter per alphabetic key. In thisregard, the associated letters can be advantageously organized inQWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or Dvorak layouts, among others, therebycapitalizing on certain users' familiarity with these special letterorders. In order to stay within the bounds of the limited front surfacearea, however, each of the keys must be commensurately small when, forexample, twenty-six keys must be provided in the instance of the Englishlanguage.

An alternative configuration is to provide a reduced keyboard in whichat least some of the keys have more than one letter associated therewith(see FIG. 1 for an example). This means that fewer keys are requiredwhich makes it possible for those fewer keys to each be larger than inthe instance when a full keyboard is provided on a similarly dimensioneddevice. Some users will prefer the solution of the larger keys over thesmaller ones, but it is necessary that software or hardware solutions beprovided in order to discriminate which of the several associatedletters the user intends based on a particular key actuation, a problemthe full keyboard avoids.

Preferably, the character discrimination is accomplished utilizingdisambiguation software included on the device 300. To accommodatesoftware use on the device 300, a memory 324 and microprocessor 338 areprovided within the body of the handheld unit for receiving, storing,processing, and outputting data during use. Therefore, the problem ofneeding a textual data input means is solved by the provision of eithera full or reduced alphabetic keyboard on the presently disclosedhandheld electronic device 300. It should be further appreciated thatthe keyboard can be alternatively provided on a touch sensitive screenin either a reduced or full format.

As shown in FIG. 1, the handheld electronic device 300 is cradleable inthe palm of a user's hand. The handheld device 300 is provided with akeyboard 332 to enter text data and place telephone calls and a displayscreen 322 for communicating information to the user. A connect/send key605 is preferably provided to aid in the placement of a phone call.Additionally, a disconnect/end key 609 is provided. The send key 605 andend key 609 preferably can be arranged in a row of keys including anavigation tool. Additionally, the row of keys, including the navigationtool, preferably has a menu key 606 and a back key or escape key 608.The menu key 606 is used to bring up a menu on the display screen 322and the escape key 608 is used to return to the previous screen orprevious menu selection.

The handheld electronic device 300 includes an input portion and anoutput display portion. The output display portion can be a displayscreen 322, such as an LCD or other similar display device.

The keyboard 332 includes a plurality of keys that can be of a physicalnature such as actuable buttons or they can be of a software nature,typically constituted by virtual representations of physical keys on adisplay screen 322 (referred to herein as “virtual keys”). It is alsocontemplated that the user input can be provided as a combination of thetwo types of keys. Each key of the plurality of keys has at least oneactuable action which can be the input of a character, a command or afunction. In this context, “characters” are contemplated to exemplarilyinclude alphabetic letters, language symbols, numbers, punctuation,insignias, icons, pictures, and even a blank space. Input commands andfunctions can include such things as delete, backspace, moving a cursorup, down, left or right, initiating an arithmetic function or command,initiating a command or function specific to an application program orfeature in use, initiating a command or function programmed by the userand other such commands and functions that are well known to thosepersons skilled in the art. Specific keys or other types of inputdevices can be used to navigate through the various applications andfeatures thereof. Further, depending on the application 358 or featurein use, specific keys can be enabled or disabled.

In the case of physical keys, all or a portion of the plurality of keyshave one or more indicia, representing character(s), command(s), and/orfunctions(s), displayed at their top surface and/or on the surface ofthe area adjacent the respective key. In the instance where the indiciaof a key's function is provided adjacent the key, the indicia can beprinted on the device cover beside the key, or in the instance of keyslocated adjacent the display screen 322. Additionally, current indiciafor the key may be temporarily shown nearby the key on the screen 322.

In the case of virtual keys, the indicia for the respective keys areshown on the display screen 322, which in one embodiment is enabled bytouching the display screen 322, for example, with a stylus to generatethe character or activate the indicated command or function. Someexamples of display screens 322 capable of detecting a touch includeresistive, capacitive, projected capacitive, infrared and surfaceacoustic wave (SAW) touchscreens.

Physical and virtual keys can be combined in many different ways asappreciated by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, physical andvirtual keys are combined such that the plurality of enabled keys for aparticular application or feature of the handheld electronic device 300is shown on the display screen 322 in the same configuration as thephysical keys. Using this configuration, the user can select theappropriate physical key corresponding to what is shown on the displayscreen 322. Thus, the desired character, command or function is obtainedby depressing the physical key corresponding to the character, commandor function displayed at a corresponding position on the display screen322, rather than touching the display screen 322.

The various characters, commands and functions associated with keyboardtyping in general are traditionally arranged using various conventions.The most common of these in the United States, for instance, is theQWERTY keyboard layout. Others include the QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorakkeyboard configurations. The QWERTY keyboard layout is the standardEnglish-language alphabetic key arrangement 44 a shown in FIG. 7 a. TheQWERTZ keyboard layout is normally used in German-speaking regions; thisalphabetic key arrangement 44 b is shown in FIG. 7 b. The AZERTYkeyboard layout 44 c is normally used in French-speaking regions and isshown in FIG. 7 c. The Dvorak keyboard layout was designed to allowtypists to type faster; this alphabetic key arrangement 44 d is shown inFIG. 7 d. In other exemplary embodiments, keyboards havingmulti-language key arrangements can be contemplated.

Alphabetic key arrangements are often presented along with numeric keyarrangements. Typically, the numbers 1-9 and 0 are positioned in the rowabove the alphabetic keys 44 a-d, as shown in FIG. 7 a-d. Alternatively,the numbers share keys with the alphabetic characters, such as the toprow of the QWERTY keyboard. Yet another exemplary numeric keyarrangement is shown in FIG. 8, where a “ten-key” style numeric keypad46 is provided on a separate set of keys that is spaced from thealphabetic/numeric key arrangement 44. Still further, ten-key numericarrangements may be common with or shared with a subset of thealphabetic keys. The ten-key styled numeric keypad 46 includes thenumbers “7”, “8”, “9” arranged in a top row, “4”, “5”, “6” arranged in asecond row, “1”, “2”, “3” arranged in a third row, and “0” in a bottomrow. Further, a numeric phone key arrangement 42 is exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the numeric phone key arrangement 42 may alsoutilize a surface treatment on the surface of the center “5” key. Thissurface treatment is configured such that the top surface of the key isdistinctive from the surface of other keys. Preferably the surfacetreatment is in the form of a raised bump or recessed dimple 43.Alternatively, raised bumps may be positioned on the housing around the“5” key and do not necessarily have to be positioned directly on thekey.

It is desirable for handheld devices 300 to include a combinedtext-entry keyboard and a telephony keyboard. Examples of such handhelddevices 300 include mobile stations, cellular telephones, wirelesspersonal digital assistants (PDAs), two-way paging devices, and others.Various keyboards are used with such devices and can be termed a fullkeyboard, a reduced keyboard, or phone key pad. In embodiments of ahandheld device 300 having a full keyboard, the alphabetic charactersare singly associated with the plurality of physical keys. Thus, in anEnglish-language keyboard of this configuration, there are at least 26keys in the plurality so that there is one letter per alphabetic key.

FIGS. 9 and 10 both feature numeric keys arranged according to the ITUStandard E.161 form. In addition, FIG. 10 also incorporates alphabeticcharacters according to the ITU Standard E.161 layout as well.

As intimated above, in order to further reduce the size of a handheldelectronic device 300 without making the physical keys or virtual keystoo small, some handheld electronic devices 300 use a reduced keyboard,where more than one character/command/function is associated with eachof at least a portion of the plurality of keys. This results in certainkeys being ambiguous since more than one character is represented by orassociated with the key, even though only one of those characters istypically intended by the user when activating the key.

Thus, certain software usually runs on the processor 338 of these typesof handheld electronic devices 300 to determine or predict what letteror word has been intended by the user. Some examples of software includepredictive text routines which typically include a disambiguation engineand/or predictive editor application. The software preferably also hasthe ability to recognize character letter sequences that are common tothe particular language, such as, in the case of English, words endingin “ing.” Such systems can also “learn” the typing style of the usermaking note of frequently used words to increase the predictive aspectof the software. Other types of predictive text computer programs may beutilized with the reduced keyboard arrangements described herein,without limitation. Some specific examples include the multi-tap methodof character selection and “text on nine keys”.

The keys of reduced keyboards are laid out with various arrangements ofcharacters, commands and functions associated therewith. In regards toalphabetic characters, the different keyboard layouts identified aboveare selectively used based on a user's preference and familiarity; forexample, the QWERTY keyboard layout is most often used by Englishspeakers who have become accustomed to the key arrangement.

FIG. 1 shows a handheld electronic device 300 that carries an example ofa reduced keyboard using the QWERTY keyboard layout on a physicalkeyboard array of twenty keys comprising five columns and four rows.Fourteen keys are used for alphabetic characters and ten keys are usedfor numbers. Nine of the ten numbers share a key with alphabeticcharacters. The “space” key and the number “0” share the same key, whichis centered on the device and centered below the remainder of thenumbers on the keyboard 332. While in other embodiments, the number “0”may be located on other keys. Many of the keys have different sizes thanthe other keys, and the rows are non-linear. In particular, the keys inthe middle column 64 are wider than keys in the outer columns 60, 62, 66and 68. To readily identify the phone user interface (the second userinterface), the numeric phone keys 0-9 include a color scheme that isdifferent from that of the remaining keys associated with the QWERTY keyarrangement. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thekeyboard includes a color scheme of the numeric phone keys has a twotone appearance, with the upper portion of the numeric keys being afirst color and the lower portion of the numeric keys being a secondcolor. The first color may be lighter than the second color, or darkerthan the second color.

Another embodiment of a reduced alphabetic keyboard is found on astandard phone keypad 42. Most handheld electronic devices 300 having aphone key pad 42 also typically include alphabetic key arrangementsoverlaying or coinciding with the numeric keys as shown in FIG. 10. Suchalphanumeric phone keypads are used in many, if not most, traditionalhandheld telephony mobile communication devices such as cellularhandsets.

As described above, the International Telecommunications Union (“ITU”)has established phone standards for the arrangement of alphanumerickeys. The standard phone numeric key arrangement shown in FIGS. 9 (noalphabetic letters) and 10 (with alphabetic letters) corresponds to ITUStandard E.161, entitled “Arrangement of Digits, Letters, and Symbols onTelephones and Other Devices That Can Be Used for Gaining Access to aTelephone Network.” This standard is also known as ANSI TI.703-1995/1999and ISO/IEC 9995-8:1994. As shown in FIG. 1, the numeric key arrangementcan be overlaid on a QWERTY arrangement. The numeric arrangement asshown can be aptly described as a top-to-bottom ascending orderthree-by-three-over-zero pattern.

While several keyboard layouts have been described above, the layoutscan be described as having keys disposed on the keyboard in a QWERTY,reduced QWERTY, QWERTZ, Dvorak, or AZERTY key layout. These familiarkeyboard layouts allow users to type more intuitively and quickly than,for example, on the standard alphabetic layout on a telephone pad. Asmentioned above, the key arrangements can be reduced compared to astandard layout through the use of more than one letter or character perkey. By utilizing fewer keys, the keys can be made larger and thereforemore convenient to the user.

Exemplary embodiments have been described hereinabove regarding bothhandheld electronic devices 300, as well as the communication networks319 within which they cooperate. Again, it should be appreciated thatthe focus of the present disclosure is determination of the attitude ofthe handheld electronic device 300 along with disablement of user inputdevices.

1. An electronic device comprising: a processor-based control means; auser input means communicatively coupled with said control means andthrough which information is input, wherein said user input meanscomprises at least one of a telephone keypad, a navigational tool, anauxiliary user input device, a touchscreen, a keyboard and a user inputkey; an attitude sensing means communicatively coupled with said controlmeans, said attitude sensing means adapted to detect the attitude of thedevice, wherein said attitude sensing means is adapted to communicatedata indicative of the detected attitude of the device to said controlmeans; said control means adapted to receive the communicated data,compare the detected attitude with a predetermined attitude, and disablethe user input means from receiving information in the event that thepredetermined attitude substantially matches the predetermined attitudecriteria for a predetermined period of time; and a user informing meanscommunicatively coupled with said control means, said user informingmeans adapted to output a notification signal when said user input meansis disabled from receiving information, said notification signalindicating said user input means is disabled.
 2. The electronic deviceas recited in claim 1, further comprising a top portion and a bottomportion and wherein said predetermined attitude criteria is an upsidedown attitude.
 3. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid attitude sensing means is one of a tilt sensor, an inclinometer, anaccelerometer, and a gravimeter.
 4. The electronic device as recited inclaim 1, wherein said notification signal vibrates said device.
 5. Theelectronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said notificationsignal is an audible sound.
 6. The electronic device as recited in claim1, wherein said user input means includes a keyboard.
 7. The electronicdevice as recited in claim 6, wherein said keyboard comprises aplurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated andwherein at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple lettersassociated therewith.
 8. An electronic device comprising: a processor; adisplay screen communicatively coupled with said processor; a user inputdevice communicatively coupled with said processor and through whichinformation is input, wherein said user input device comprises at leastone of a telephone keypad, a navigational tool, an auxiliary user inputdevice, a touchscreen, a keyboard, and a user input key; a sensorcommunicatively coupled with said processor, said sensor adapted todetect the attitude of the device, wherein said sensor is adapted tocommunicate data indicative of the detected attitude of the device tosaid processor; said processor adapted to receive the communicated data,compare the detected attitude with a predetermined attitude, and disablethe user input device from receiving information in the event that thepredetermined attitude substantially matches the predetermined attitudecriteria for a predetermined period of time; and a user informing devicecommunicatively coupled with said microprocessor, said user informingdevice adapted to output a notification signal when said user inputdevice is disabled from receiving, said notification signal indicatingsaid user input device is disabled.
 9. The electronic device as recitedin claim 8, further comprising a top portion and a bottom portion andsaid predetermined attitude criteria being an upside down attitude. 10.The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein said sensor is oneof a tilt sensor, an inclinometer, an accelerometer, and a gravimeter.11. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein said sensor isfurther adapted to communicate data indicative of the detected attitudeof the device to said microprocessor and said microprocessor is furtheradapted to receive and process the communicated data from the sensor.12. A method for disabling at least one user input device on anelectronic device comprising: detecting, at a sensor of the electronicdevice, an attitude of an electronic device; determining, at a processorof the electronic device, that the data indicative of the detectedattitude matches a predetermined attitude criteria for a predeterminedperiod of time; wherein said sensor is adapted to communicate dataindicative of the detected attitude of the device to said processor andwherein said processor is adapted to receive and process thecommunicated data from the sensor; disabling a user input device fromreceiving information in response to the data indicative of the detectedattitude matching the predetermined attitude criteria and in response tothe period of time that the detected attitude matches the predeterminedattitude criteria being at least equal to the predetermined period oftime, wherein said user input device comprises at least one of atelephone keypad, a navigational tool, an auxiliary user input device, atouchscreen, a keyboard and a user input key; and providing anotification signal when said user input means is disabled fromreceiving information in response to the data indicative of the detectedattitude matching the predetermined attitude criteria and in response tothe period of time that the detected attitude matches the predeterminedattitude criteria being at least equal to the predetermined period oftime, said notification signal indicating said user input device isdisabled.
 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein thepredetermined attitude criteria is an upside down attitude and whereindetermining the data indicative of the detected attitude matches thepredetermined attitude criteria comprises: determining the electronicdevice has a top portion and a bottom portion; and determining thebottom portion is positioned above the top portion.
 14. The method asrecited in claim 12, wherein providing said notification signalcomprises vibrating said device.
 15. The method as recited in claim 12,wherein providing said notification signal comprises providing anaudible sound.
 16. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, whereinsaid notification signal vibrates said device.
 17. The electronic deviceas recited in claim 8, wherein said notification signal is an audiblesound.
 18. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein saiduser input device includes a keyboard.
 19. The electronic device asrecited in claim 18, wherein said keyboard comprises a plurality of keyswith which alphabetic letters are associated and wherein at least aportion of the individual keys have multiple letters associatedtherewith.